It's Quiet 17 - Glory Thread

[waspish]

i must admit the thought of us responding to the chelsea splurge and probably the rags and the arse spending again in the summer and us possibly signing James Maddison and Ben Chilwell doesnt exactly get you giddy does it? Bellingham is a must imo now Enzo isnt an option and the likes of Alphonso Davies who is everting the final year of his contract and is a get you off your seat type of player it seems Pep and the club maybe think English players are going to give less grief and want to leave back to their homelands thus giving us more stability?

Think Chilwell and Maddison are decent and that is the problem”decent”

 

[richards30]

Think Chilwell and Maddison are decent and that is the problem”decent”

They are both good players mate not just decent but with a KDB seemingly struggling abit, Gundo possibly gone and Bernardo as well? Like i say, always trust Pep but say the rags bring De Jong in and a big name striker then they are closer to us again imo.

 

[Woody135]

Write off another year? How often have we done that in recent memory?

Last season. Injuries forced a weakened team in fa cup semi which we effectively wrote off and had we got past madrid we’d have played that final with unfit or no walker no dias no ake and fern at cb.

Before that we had a larger squad that could cope with multiple competitions.
Since then our squad has gotten smaller so I’d say the risk is pretty high come March/April where we’ll have to prioritise competitions again.

When that is due to choice of having a small squad thats our own fault.

 

[decmancity]

Lol - not sure where you got half of that torrent of nonsense from, as it certainly wasn’t from anything in my post, but if you want to create a series of false dichotomies for yourself to get all worked up and argue against, you crack on mate!

If you’re actually interested in a conversation, then I’ll try and keep it simple and answer your questions for you.

What’s my suggestion?

Without wanting to repeat what was in my post, my suggestion was that this summer needs a rebuild like the ones in 2010 and 2017, where we don’t just replace an outgoing player with a new and carry on with the same core.

It seems likely Gundo, Bernardo and Cancelo will be leaving us this summer, and there have been noises about Laporte and Walker too. Mahrez and KDB no longer seem to be able to perform at two games a week. Phillips and Gomez don’t look up to the job based on performances so far.

That’s pretty major surgery in anyone’s book, which needs a new spine building. We’re good at Centre Forward and Centre Back, but the rest of the team needs serious work.

I know Pep is good at his job, but if you’ve taken the time to listen to what he’s been saying recently, he’s challenged all levels of the Club not to be complacent. That’s his word, not mine.

He’s not saying that by mistake. He wants to see that hunger back at all levels of the Club. For someone who seems so keen to lecture other people on listening to our Manager, you don’t seek capable of following your own advice!

Recent windows would suggest we’ve been happy to tinker about the edges, replacing players one by one - and that’s been fine. We’ve won a shit load of trophies by adding to the spine incrementally. But at some point, you need a major refresh.

What I’m suggesting is that time is this summer.

And given Pep’s comments about the lack of hunger in the squad this year, and the creeping complacency across all levels at the Club - I’d suggest our Manager agrees.

If we don’t, then ambitious Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and United will overtake us. You can rant and rave about that all you like, but it’s a fact.

Your suggestion is to do a rebuild in the summer, brilliant. Where did I say not to do that and as you say we have a proven track record of doing it if required, so why this sudden panic that we won't in 2023?
I never denied Pep hasn't done a call to arms and where has there been no suggestion that the club and squad won't respond?

However its Feb, not the summer so lets wait until next season before we get all worked up about how the rags or chelsea are "overtaking us".

We have been hearing for the past decade how the rags are one midfielder away, Lukaku is the missing piece for Chelsea and all the rest. How is that working out for them?

 

[Dribble]

To the outside, there does appear to be a level of complacency that has crept in amongst the Exec at the Club over the last few years - like we’ve got Pep, who is the defining Manager of his generation, so we can take it a little easier and not push as hard to bring in the best at every level

The hunger we had to bring in the very best players to give us the very best chance of competing just doesn’t seem to be there at the moment.

Cancelo is a great example. Personally I’m completely supportive of the Club getting rid of him if the attitude we all know he has in him was causing problems across the squad. No problem - there’s no room for that shit, and it spreads fast if not dealt with quickly, ruthlessly and efficiently.

But not even bothering to try for a replacement to give the Manager and the rest of the team the best chance of competing - that’s lazy, and complacent.

Signing Haaland was a master stroke, as was Alvarez - but settling for average in Phillips and Gomez? That’s not a Club pushing to be the best.

Since our last big rebuild in summer 2016 and 17 which created the spine of Pep’s title winning teams, over the past few years we’ve brought in Grealish (21), Torres, Ake, Dias (20), Angelino, Rodri, Steffen, Cancelo (19) and Mahrez (18).

Some great players in there - Grealish, Dias, Rodri and Mahrez stand out in particular - but it’s mostly been adding one a year to replace our legends leaving, rather than striving to push ahead of the pack.

I think that’s starting to catch up with us now, and the Club desperately needs to snap out of its complacency this summer.

It’s time for another rebuild, as Arsenal, Chelsea and United are in the process of overtaking us - Pep or no Pep.

We can’t have another summer like the last few.

We need another 2017. Another 2010. One of those windows that creates another spine to push us on into the next generation of success.

I hope the Club are still up for the challenge.

Sorry, I disagree. We have a finite number of squad places available, with all the association/club trained requirements to consider. We're nearly at the limit of having to move foreign players on, before we bring players in, not to mention the game playing issues our squad members face, hence City looking at the UK market.

Over this recent period, we've had TWO FFP investigations, one of which led to a two year CL ban & a fine (both overturned), & the other which is STILL ongoing, hence City remaining mindful of our spending.

What I think we need is evolution, not a revolution:

We badly need a world class LB (preferably two if Gomez can't make the grade).

We need to replace both Bernardo & Gundog, & be mindful that KDB's 32 & his power seems to be waning.

We need a couple of skilful wingers who possess blistering pace.

I think we need to ascertain if Foden/Grealish have what it takes to play centrally. Neither are a David Silva, but Silva did say our midfield would be in good hands for years to come with Foden playing centrally & I like what I've seen of Grealish in the fleeting moments he's played centrally.

At the very least we need four top level recruits. Six if we get two wingers & left backs. With Cancelo, Bernardo & Gundog moved on, at worst we lose three & gain four. At best we lose three & gain six.

We've been amassing funds over the last 4/5 seasons & I've always suspected it was in the knowledge that KDB, Gundog & Walker are cracking on in age, added to the annual Bernardo nonsense. Cancelo leaving has just increased the necessity for City to act, & act I believe we will.

Trust the process. Trust Pep. Trust Txiki. Trust Soriano. Trust Khaldoon. Trust Sheikh Mansour. They've proven time & time again that they forward plan & know EXACTLY what they're doing, HENCE we didn't rush out & panic buy a replacement for Cancelo yesterday.

Don't be blinded by the huge rebuilding jobs underway at Chelsea, ManUre, Arsenal & Newcastle. If you want a better comparison, look at the Dippers. We've gone toe to toe with them over the last 5 years & both us & the Scousers need a partial rebuild, but look how spectacularly they've fallen off?

If the right player isn't available at a price that fits our budget, we move forward with what we have until the right opportunity presents itself. It's the City way & it's served us well.

 

[decmancity]

next summer will show the desire of our owners to keep us at the top of the english pyramid.

Maybe the sheikh is finally bored?

 

[blueparrot]

They are both good players mate not just decent but with a KDB seemingly struggling abit, Gundo possibly gone and Bernardo as well? Like i say, always trust Pep but say the rags bring De Jong in and a big name striker then they are closer to us again imo.

They are closer mainly because they have a very good manager and are planning properly now, not because of the players they sign or don't sign. We are still ahead of tem because we have a better manager and a long term plan not because of the players we sign or don't sign.
Chelsea can sign all these players , they did it in the summer too they are miles behind because they don't have a manager at the right level or much of a plan.

 

[waspish]

They are both good players mate not just decent but with a KDB seemingly struggling abit, Gundo possibly gone and Bernardo as well? Like i say, always trust Pep but say the rags bring De Jong in and a big name striker then they are closer to us again imo.

Yeah sooner or later they will get it right and finish above us maybe win a trophy or the league thing is we will always compete then won’t have it there own way

 

[Gumzy97]

I think we just have to get used to Pep wanting English players /home grown. So it will be Maddison like it was Grealish.

 

[richards30]

Yeah sooner or later they will get it right and finish above us maybe win a trophy or the league thing is we will always compete then won’t have it there own way

Without question the long term future for the club is bright, it just seems maybe as Pep says the desire to go and stay ahead of the pack has dimmed somewhat?

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

There is one other already world class player who is ready to step up to the next level. the name is nicolo barella. my choice to pair with Rodri in the midfield and then also we can buy bellingham and allow him a couple of years to grow into his potential.

How come we haven't seen more of this lad

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

There's a reason Maddison has one England appearance by the age of 26 - he's just not that good. And people want him to replace Bernardo?

And Chilwell? Really? Do people want us to win our first CL or would you rather we collect a sub-par Brexit pack fit for the treatment room? Give me strength.

We are certainly lowering our standards these days

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

Your suggestion is to do a rebuild in the summer, brilliant. Where did I say not to do that and as you say we have a proven track record of doing it if required, so why this sudden panic that we won't in 2023?
I never denied Pep hasn't done a call to arms and where has there been no suggestion that the club and squad won't respond?

However its Feb, not the summer so lets wait until next season before we get all worked up about how the rags or chelsea are "overtaking us".

We have been hearing for the past decade how the rags are one midfielder away, Lukaku is the missing piece for Chelsea and all the rest. How is that working out for them?

If you don’t disagree with me that the summer needs a rebuild, then - with respect - what are you arguing with me for, as that’s what I said in my original post?

Is it because I touched a nerve by saying other clubs are in the process of overtaking us? I don’t think that’s particularly controversial.

Arsenal are better than us already so far this season, Chelsea have just spent an unprecedented fortune on an almost entirely new team packed with talent, and the Rags - regrettably - are building a much stronger core than they’ve had for over a decade and actually have a decent Manager for once.

If we’re complacent this summer - as Pep has suggested he’s concerned about - then however good he is, we’ll start to fall behind these Clubs.

And to answer your question ‘where is the suggestion we won’t respond?’ - to me, leaving Pep with just one senior full back to attack three trophies this season reeks of complacency.

No problem getting rid of Cancelo, but we needed a left back in the summer and didn’t buy one - we needed one in January and still didn’t bother.

Leaving Pep with just Kyle Walker as a proper senior full back - and expecting him to try and win three trophies is, to me, recklessly complacent.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

Anyone that doubts that desire needs to have a lie down and a good long think.

we are going to see this summer. and the likes of maddison is not going to cut it.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

How come we haven't seen more of this lad

exactly nicolo barella is so so good. reminds me veattri from PGS. his technical skill is off the charts compared to madison and even above bellingham I would say. we need bellingham and one other player like barella in our team if both gundo and bernardo go.

 

[decmancity]

If you don’t disagree with me that the summer needs a rebuild, then - with respect - what the fuck are you arguing with me for, as that’s what I said in my original post?

Is it because I touched a nerve by saying other clubs are in the process of overtaking us? I don’t think that’s particularly controversial.

Arsenal are better then us this season, Chelsea have just spent an unprecedented fortune on an almost entirely new team packed with talent, and the Rags - regrettably - are building a much stronger core than they’ve had for over a decade and actually have a decent Manager for once.

If we’re complacent this summer - as Pep has suggested he’s concerned about - then however good he is, we’ll start to fall behind these Clubs.

And to answer your question ‘where is the suggestion we won’t respond’ - to me, leaving Pep with just one senior full back to attack three trophies this season reeks of complacency.

No problem getting rid of Cancelo, but we needed a left back in the summer and didn’t buy one - we needed one in January and still didn’t bother.

Leaving Pep with just Kyle Walker as a proper senior full back - and expecting him to try and win three trophies is, to me, recklessly complacent.

It didn't touch a nerve. It is just an outright fact that they are not. What exactly have the rags and Chelsea achieved that makes you think they are, Spending a load of cash?
By our standards, this is a shite season, out of the Carabao and behind in the league by Feb. Rags and Chelsea still haven't taken advantage, what does that say about them?

Arsenal have come from pretty much nowhere to the position they are in now, so lets see how this season finishes before we want to really call them the second coming.

So you believe that Pep has been screaming the door down for a full back and Txiki has been sat back with his feet on the desk just drifting through the season. Complete nonsense.
At a seconds notice Txiki and the analysts would have a yellow pages book on Pep's desk full to the brim of scouting reports on full backs.

If Pep wanted a left back, we would fucking buy one. Like we did when he first stepped through the door. Maybe Pep is the one that is complacent, he keeps winning trophies with randomers at LB so its a complete blind spot for him.
Pep wouldn't keep signing contracts if we werent delivering what he wanted. He has complete control over pretty much every aspect of this club, but its the left back position that Txiki is keeping hostage and refusing to spend money on.

Lets come back to this on the first game of 2023-24 and we will have the answers wont we.

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

We've had since summer to plan on the missing out of Cucurella. It's a position we clearly need reinforcements for as the season has been progressing. Then we happily let our only established "LB" go on loan because of a fallout. No planning and no reaction.
Got midfielders that don't want to be here either. Bernie for a few years now. No reaction

Look a costume of the team we were a few years ago. The squad being stagnant a big factor in that.
We are losing via selling or age massive qualities of our squads of old. Pace? Entirely gone. Energy in mid? Defensive pace? Leadership? Creativity? ... all going going...

Sounds like the beginning of the end

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

exactly nicolo barella is so so good. reminds me veattri from PGS. his technical skill is off the charts compared to madison and even above bellingham I would say. we need bellingham and one other player like barella in our team if both gundo and bernardo go.

How old is he?

 

[Chopper2115]

We are certainly lowering our standards these days

I agree that Maddison might not be the best replacement for Bernardo or gundo, and I actually rate chilwell however his injury record puts me off tbf. Look at the market though nowadays who can we actually get if we are spending 120-130m on bellingham we need to spend wisely in the areas that are needed the most. We can’t go out and go £80m for lb 70m for cm and 100m for a winger plus bellingham and Laporte will leave aswell so we need to be clever in the market

 

[Agueroooo9320]

How old is he?

25 or 26. perfect age to play the peak of his career here. if we buy him and bellingham we are set for atleast another 6 years